Request Advice - Cushion Cut - 0.75-0.90ct

[richie_t2000]

Good morning all...

So first post... please go easy!

I'm looking to propose in June/July this year and have been out in Bahrain where I thought I would take the plunge on purchasing my diamond ring. Having got out here, and having now looked and researched into diamonds themselves, I've determined that this may not be the best way forward for me. Bahrain, unfortunately, only really deals with RB diamonds so any Cushion diamonds need to be ordered in. I have been sent a certificate for one they can obtain but it does not include ASET/DiamXray images etc and I would have to pay a depost to have it brought in which I am retiscent to do.

Having used this site at length to research diamonds in depth, I'm massively worried about buying a 'dud' diamond with no fire or scintillation - how the diamond performs is the biggest factor for me. So, cutting to the chase, I'm looking at pulling the plug on my initial plan of buying out here and instead looking at getting something shipped to me when I get home (UK). Can I please request some support to find a Cusion diamond from the internet to meet my broad brush specifications, or does anyone know good sources of UK Cushions in the UK. I'm looking at:

Cushion (Vintage, H&A or 'X' Factor but preferably not crushed ice)
0.75-0.90ct
VS2-VVS1
D-H
Polish and Symmetry - Ideal
Fluorescence - None

Budget is around $4500 although it is flexible depending on the piece. The difficulty I'm also noting is I've looked on GoG and seen a few I like, but with the taxes for shipping to the UK it often puts the diamond out of range. I'm assuming the same maybe likely with James Allen and other online vendors?

All advice would be very welcome and much appreciated...

 

[OMG_AMG]

welcome to PS!

I am not sure how much the taxes/duties will be when a diamond is shipped to the UK...but I do know that many vendors will ship the diamond internationally for free, but then once the diamond arrives, the courier will contact you to collect the appropriate taxes/duties. For example, I know James Allen will provide you with free insured international shipping via FedEx, but once it arrives, the courier will collect the taxes/duties from you. I would suggest calling your local FedEx and asking them if there are any applicable taxes/duties...

Also, in case you're a little nervous about buying online, don't be. Many of the vendors recommended here on PS are very reputable and have great return policies...JA in particular has a 60 day return policy in case you don't like what you see.

That being said, here are a few cushion brilliants that you might like:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.75-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-155148

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.75-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-138224

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.77-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-170278

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.76-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-186205

JA allows up to 3 free ASET images, so you once you find 3 that you like, ask for some ASET images!

Also, ERD is another great place to get a quality cushion...just call them up and let them know what you're looking for and I'm sure they can find you an excellent cushion.

 

[richie_t2000]

OMG_AMG - many thanks for your response... I've been reading and researching diamonds for a good few months now and I seem to still learn so much everyday!

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and will take a look at these diamonds when I get onto an IT system that can view the James Allen website this Thursday (my current work IT system cannot...!).

Is ERD Engagement Rings Direct? I'd not heard of them before and didn't know the acronym until I've just looked in the top right of this current reply screen and seen a little banner with 'Engagement Rings Direct' flashing at me!

 

[chrono]

Correct, ERD is Engagement Rings Direct. We often use the acronym as it saves a lot of typing.

 

[richie_t2000]

So I've tried to do a bit more research into this now I've managed to get access to the internet again and have come across the following few diamonds. Are people able to point out any significant issues straight away and recommend those I should ask for ASET images and further information on etc. Having looked a little more into taxes etc for delivering to the UK I'm potentially looking to taper back the cost of the diamond to around the $3500 mark give or take.

So here are the diamonds I'm currently looking at; I'm keen for it to be as much of a fireball as a cushion can get. I've tried to keep it within the recommended depth/table percentages but appreciate that ASET images will be required. As with most guys, the bigger I can get for my money the better, but would compromise for performance.

1. http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-164947

2. http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut-loose-diamond-2911704.htm#

3. http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/0.81-carat-e-vvs1-excellent-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-104070.html

4. http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/0.85-carat-g-vvs1-excellent-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-115696.html

5. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10153/

6. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10577/

If you can help me narrow these down I'll look to obtain some ASET images. I seem to be warming to the 0.85 with ERD but this is of course without any photographs.

As ever, all advice is very much appreciated - thank you.

 

[richie_t2000]

I've got hold of an image for the ERD 0.85ct. Would welcome advice on the performance, my initial impression is that it does not perform very well?

 

[JulieN]

Possibly it is very similar to the JA .81, but I'm not totally sure, an ASET on the JA one would help.

 

[richie_t2000]

Hello all,

Excuse the bump, I've been tooing and froing with JA regarding diamonds and am starting to narrow down. I'd welcome a more trained eye to check over the following for me and give me their opinion if possible to narrow down to my final three diamonds. I will then get ASET images on the three to make my final choice! I feel it's getting close now...!

These three I'm very keen on as they are Cushion Brilliants:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.85-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-198499

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.84-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-68906

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-36094

These three are Modern Cushion Brilliants but with the X Factor style as I feel these are more attractive than the complete 'crushed ice' look which I'm not a fan of:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-36187

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-35824

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-36404

I need to look to narrow down to three so any advice from you would be gratefully received, anything on these that results in them instantly being rejected would help too! I will then post ASET images of those I have narrowed down to.

As ever, many thanks for all the help. I personally, at present, am a fan of the 0.85 Cushion Brilliant.

Rich

 

[Niel]

this one is a little over 3500 at about 3800... but i think its lovely
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10578/

this one, if you click reserve you can see, its right about 3500
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9506/

 

[ariel144]

Don't forget GOG...they have some new AVC's in:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10730/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10247/

I would definitely buy an August Vintage cushion from GOG, they have plenty of them in stock in your budget.
All the ASETs on the AVC's are PERFECT and you cannot purchase a better performing cushion. Victor Canera has some but
they are not in your budget.

GOG will make a video of 3 stones that you are considering and you can pick the one you like best. They do ASETs Diamex. and Megascopes on all their stones to PROVE their performance. Since you are out of the country you cannot get better online service than this.

I would not even worry about getting ASETs from JA. Just my opinion.

Plus GOG has "Premium" cushions to choose from as well in your budget as posted above.

Here is a great video of how lower color AVR and AVC's compare to a higher color Hearts and Arrows Round Brilliant:

http://vimeo.com/9868723

CUT IS KING. Higher color and clarity do not make a beautiful diamond. Cut makes a stone beautiful.

 

[ariel144]

P.S. Sorry didn't read the whole thread before i posted. I see you have considered stones from GOG. As stated, I would stick with them to find a stone since you are out of the country. Pick 3 and have them do a video for you ...good luck!

 

[JulieN]

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.85-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-198499
I like this one and am keen to seen an ASET, but it is more random, tiny flashes, I wouldn't call it crushed ice, but it's not the same as the others. Up to you.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.84-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-68906

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-36094

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-36187

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-35824

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-36404

Between the 2 cush brills and 3 modified, it is really up to you. The .8s are square and have higher crowns, but they are a little smaller. The others are more rectangular, a little bigger but have flatter crowns.